Happy New Year! It is that time of year again, where we reflect on the past
year and think about all the things we want to do or change for the coming year.
When thinking about resolutions, keep it simple and try not to do too much too
fast. Statistically, the number one New Year’s resolution is to lose weight or
eat healthier. Also statistically, only about 3% of you will keep that
resolution all year long. So this year, let’s try and be one of those 3%!

Let’s start with every adult’s number one resolution for the New Year: we could
all probably afford to lose few LB’s in the New Year. The problem with the
resolution to ‘lose weight’ is that losing weight is such a broad resolution–how
are you going to lose weight? We all know we need to eat less, eat better and
work out, but as busy parents, sometimes you just don’t have the time. So,
instead of making such a broad generalization, be specific. Starting January 1,
you make time every day to work out or pack a healthy lunch for work. You could
stop drinking soda. Once you have a starting point, you can build on that into
February, March and throughout the rest of the year.

Another popular resolution is to save more money. This resolution is a hard
one, as we all know, as soon as you have some money saved and you start making
a plan of how you are going to spend it, something breaks. Your car breaks, the
water heater no longer produces hot water, or the fridge kicks and all your
food goes bad the week before Christmas (true story from my own life… can you
tell I am still not over it?). It is an unfortunate fact that things do (and
will) break, but when you have the money to fix it, it alleviates a lot of
stress. Yes, I would have loved to use that saved money on a vacation, but
being able to not stress about buying a new fridge or buying food for my family
was worth it. So, maybe don’t go out to eat once a week and set that money
aside for rainy day; you will be amazing how quickly you can save money.

Spending more time with family and friends is also a top resolution for the New
Year. How many times after doing something with your family or your friends do you
say, “we should do this more often?” Well, you should! What always seems to
happen–to me at least–is I wind up saying I am too tired. I am always too tired
or exhausted from a long week of work to enjoy my weekend. Really think about
that: too tired to enjoy my time off… that is so wrong. As Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation says, “We need to
remember what’s important in life–friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends,
work. But, work has to come third.” You work to live, not live to work, so
start living!

When thinking about resolutions this year, remember, this is your life… how do
you want to live it? You only get one shot at this, so why not be happier this
year and do what you want to do? If there is one thing you can count on in life
is that things are going to happen. Sometimes they are great; sometimes they
can be bad or inconvenient. But, this is your life, so be happy and enjoy it!
No matter what you resolve in the New Year, have a happy, healthy and
cheer-tastic one!Tell us your cheer parent resolutions for the New Year in the comments!